Lighting system



Aug. 23, 1966 e. MECKLER 3,268,720

LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 2. 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

GE RSHON MECKLER ATT'YJ.

Aug. 23, 1966 G. MECKLER LIGHTING SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 2,1965 INVENTOR.

GERSHON MECKLER G- MECKLER LIGHTING SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet :5

Fil ed Aug. 2, 19 5 INVENTOR.

GERSHON MECKLER Au 23; 1966 G. MECKLER 3,268,720

LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 2, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet .6

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LIGHTING SYSTEM I Fil ed Aug. 2, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 GERSHON MECKLE RBY QMQQM A rrys.

G. MECKLER Aug. 23, 1966 LIGHTING SYSTEM Fil ed Aug. 2. 1965 9Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. 20.

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b 2 S 7 "M D 2 t 3 N M L T m z W A 0% Q. NT. m t via 5 M 3 w M 2 2 h H NS WA! 6 O 9 Mfl I H m F S a .A V R ,0 m W q 2 Z R m E S L H a K C G E mM M G 0 G u v M 6 6 w 9 1 3 a w M n 6 F l C! United States Patent3,268,720 LIGHTING SYSTEM Gershon Meckler, Atlanta, Ga, assignor toLithonia Lighting, Inc., Conyers, Ga., a corporation of Georgia FiledAug. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 476,236 26 Claims. (Cl. 240-47) This is acontinuation-in-part of application Serial No. 31,902 filed May 26,1960, now abandoned, and is also a continuation-in-part of applicationSerial No. 140,416 filed September 21, 1961.

The present invention relates to the lighting of the interior ofbuildings and the like and more particularly to the dissipation ofundesirable heat which is introduced into buildings as an incident tonatural and artificial lighting thereof.

A considerable amount of heat as radiant energy is present in naturallight, both in the visible range and in the infrared and the ultravioletranges. The presence of this heat in natural light causes numerousproblems in the heating and air conditioning of buildings. Moreparticularly, when clear glass is used in building fenestrations much ofthe heat is transmitted into the interior of the building. In an attemptto solve this problem, heat absorbing glass has been substituted for theclear glass and combinations of heat absorbing glass and clear glasshave likewise been utilized. While a certain amount of heat is absorbedby the heat absorbing glass, still a substantial amount is transmittedinto the interior of the building. The transmitted heat constitutes asevere problem for presently known air conditioning systems, because itaifects only a part of a building at any given time, thus causing acondition of imbalance within a building so that certain portionsthereof require more heating or cooling than do others. The problem isfurther complicated because the affected portions of the building changeas the relative position of the sun changes. Also, the absorption ofsome of the energy tends to increase the temperature of glass and may insome cases elevate the temperature of the glass to such an extent thatthe glass acts as a hot body from which heat energy is transferred intothe interior of the building even after radiant energy ceases to strikeit.

Artificial light sources such as fluorescent lamps and incandescentbulbs generate suflicient heat that they also constitute a problem forpresently known air conditioning systems. While the heat may bedesirable in some cases and at certain times, it is undesirable when thebuilding is to be cooled, presently known air conditioning systems rely,at least to a substantial extent, upon the circulation of refrigeratedair to remove such energy from the building. As a consequence, with suchformer system, an increase in lighting intensity necessitates anincrease in rate of circulation of refrigerated air. It has been foundthat increasing the lighting intensity within a building to 200 footcandles or higher necessitates with such systems, even those which useradiant cooling, an impractically high rate of circulation ofrefrigerated air.

The present invention is based upon the discovery of apparatus forpreventing or minimizing the thermal load normally imposed upon the airconditioning system of a building as an incident to lighting thereof byartificial sources, natural sources, or both. In one aspect, theinvention is based upon the discovery that thermoelectric cooling unitscomprising suitably electrically connected r 3,268,720 [Ce PatentedAugust 23, 1966 thermojunctions in contact with one or more surfaces ofa multisheet sandwich structure can be used to dissipate the heatobsorbe-d by the glass. Likewise such a circuit comprisingthermojunctions properly positioned with respect to an artificial lightsource can be used to dissipate the undesirable heat generated by thissource.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provideapparatus for preventing or minimizing the thermal load normally imposedon a building air conditioning system as an incident to lighting thereoffrom natural sources, artificial sources, or both.

It is another object of the invention to provide a sandwich structurecomprising a thermoelectric circuit for the dissipation of heat.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for cooling anartificial light source.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view in elevation of a building, and shows therelative positions within the building of various components ofapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a therm0elec tric panel of thepresent invention which is one of the components of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation showing means formounting artificial light sources within the building of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 through 12 are enlarged sectional views in elevation showingvarious embodiments of a louvered panel grid of the present inventionwhich is another of the components of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a louvered panel gridof the invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13;

light source;

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional View of still another embodiment of themounting means for the artificial light source;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a lighting fixture constructed in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1818 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of -a portion of the fixture taken along the line1919 in FIG. 18, and shown on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting fixture taken alongthe line 20-20 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a portion of the lighting fixture taken alongthe line 21-21 in FIG. 20 and shown on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the lighting fixturetaken along the line 2222 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of another form of theceiling system of this invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the grid-like pattern of the ceilingcomponents of FIGURE 23, as viewed from below the ceiling;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional View taken along line 25-25 of FIGURE 24;and

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic view showing a portion of the electricalcircuitry of the ceiling system shown in FIG- URE 23.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a typical lighting system embodying the features of the presentinvention which is installed in an enclosed structure such as abuilding. More particularly this lighting system includes a transparentthermoelectric panel indicated generally at 20 through which naturallight is transmitted to the interior of' the structure. The panelabsorbs, from the transmitted light, heat in the visible range of thespectrum, in the ultraviolet range, and in the infrared range, Thelighting system also includes a plurality of supplemental sources 21 ofartificial light, which sources can be, for example, fluorescent unitswithin the structure for selectively augmenting the transmitted naturallight.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, the building comprises a plurality ofconcrete fills on cellular decks 22 that are supported by beams 23.Passages 24 are formed in the decks Z2 to conduct a fluid medium, suchas air, for heating, :ooling or other air conditioning of the structure.This Fluid may be conveyed to or from the various rooms within :hestructure. through suitable flexible conduits, one of which isdesignated 25 and each of which is in communi- :ation with one of thepassages 24.

The building also has a heat transfer system which in- :ludes a firststage 26 located near the ceiling of each level If the building andcomprises a supply pipe 27 as well as I. return pipe 28 for conveying aheat exchange fluid such is water around the periphery of the building.The sysem also includes a second stage 29 located at the floor of :achlevel of the' structure as shown most clearly in FIG.

The second stage 29 is substantially identical with the irst stage inthat it comprises a supply pipe 30 as well as L return pipe 31 forconveying a heat transfer fluid. The emperature of the water in thefirst stage is preferably in he range of 65 to 75 F., while the somewhathotter secrnd stage has a temperature within the range of 85 to '5 F.

According to the present invention cooling means are ssociated with boththe thermoelectric panel 20 and the rtificial light source 21 forremoving heat that is aborbed, or would otherwise be transmitted, by thethermolectric panel 20 and the heat that is generated by the rtificiallight source 21. Heat exchange means connected 3 the building heattransfer system, including both the rst stage 26 and the second stage29, for removing heat mm the cooling means are provided.

Referring to FIG. 2, the thermoelectric panel 20 comrises a plate 32 ofheat absorbing glass located substanally at the center of the panel 20.A transparent sheet 3 is separated from the heatabsorbing plate 32 by anir space 34 and the transparent sheet 33, which may be f clear glass orthe like, is on the outermost side of the anel 20 which faces outwardlyfrom the building. A secnd transparent sheet 35, which is similar to thesheet 33,

located on the innermost side of the panel 20 and faces 1e interior ofthe building. The sheet 35 is separated cm the heat absorbing plate 32by a suitable air space 5.

Cooling means in the form of a refrigerator assembly 7 is carried by theinside sheet 35 in the part of the air Iace 36 which is adjacent thesheet 35, and between the :at absorbing plate 32 and the transparentsheet 35. The frigerator assembly 37 serves to cool the transparent .eet35, and, to a certain extent, the air space 36, and lmprises a laminateincluding a plurality of thermojuncms 38 and a refrigerator sink 39. Thecomponents of e refrigeration assembly are both supported and sepatedfrom one another by means of transparent insulating yers 40, whichmaintain these components in thermal ntact but out of electricalcontact.

Each of the thermojunctions 38 comprises a p-type seminductor element 41connected to an n-type semiconductor element 42 by means of a plate 43which is both heat conducting and electrically conducting. A p-typeelement 41 of Bi Te or of PbTe is satisfactory. The ntype semiconductorelement can be of Bi Te or of PbTe. Such elements having figure of meritof about 2 1() are presently available commercially. The instantinvention is not specifically concerned, however, with the identity ofthe pand n-type elements.

The refrigerator sink 39 comprises a plurality of extremely thin, narrowstrips of a heat conducting material such as copper. The strips areparallel to one another and are laminated between two insulating layers40. The strips of the refrigerator sink 39 preferably extend verticallyand are spaced approximately 20 to the foot.

The insulating layers 40 should have not only good dielectric strengthbut also clear optical properties, and may be films of vinyl polymers,polyester-polyethylene laminates, or equivalents thereof.

In order to remove heat from the refrigerator sink 39, heat exchangemeans within the building structure is associated therewith. Moreparticularly, the panel 20 includes a frame 44 and a chamber 45 intowhich conductors of the refrigerator sink 39 extend. The chamber 45 islocated within that portion of the frame 44 which extends along the topof the panel 20 and preferably contains Water or other heat transferringfluid. Heat exchange between the refrigerator sink 39 and the fluidwithin the chamber 45 is aided by fins 46 located inthe fluid in thermalcontact with the refrigerator sink 39. The chamber 45 is conected to thesupply pipe 27 of the first stage 26 of the building heat transfersystem by means of a fluid conduit 47. The opposite end of the chamber45 is further connected to the return pipe 28 of the first stage 26 ofthe building heat transfer system by means of a similar conduit 48, andthe heat transferring fluid in constantly circulated through the chamber45 A direct current is passed through the thermojunctions 38, which pumpheat to the sink 39 for dissipation by the circulation of the fluidthrough the chamber 45. More particularly, direct current is supplied toa plurality of series and parallel conductors 49 Within the frame 44 ina manner which will later be described in greater detail. Such currentpasses through a circuit which includes the p-type elements 41, theplates 43, the n-type elements 42, and conductors 50. The pand n-typeelements are maintained out of electrical contact with the refrigeratorsink 39 by one of the insulating layers 40. The current flow is in adirection to cause cold junctions on each of the thermojunctions'38toward the sheet 35 and hot junctions toward the plate 32. As aconsequence, the plates 43 become cold, heat being pumped therefrom tothe conductors 50, and from there being transferred to the heat sink 39and dissipated in the chamber 45.

These cold plates 43 are maintained in thermal contact with the insidetransparent sheet 35 through a metal vapor film 51 that is depositedupon the innermost surface of the sheet 35. As shown in FIG. 2,'the film51 connects adjacent thermojunctions 38 at the cold junctions thereofand forms a thermal cascade with the plates 43 through a plurality ofparallel series circuits.

A metallic film 52 which is similar to the film 51 is provided, forexample by vapor deposition, upon the outwardly facing surface of theheat absorbing plate 32, and this film extends into a suitable chamber53 located in the bottom of the panel 20. The chamber 53 contains wateror other heat transferring fluid for heat exchange with the film 52.Such heat exchange is aided by fins 54 which are in contact with thefilm 52 and with the fluid within the chamber 50. This fluid is suppliedto the chamber 53 and circulated therethrough by means of a supplyconduit 55 that is connected to the supply pipe 30 and a return conduit56 connected to the return pipe 31.

Electric current is supplied to the thermojunctions 38 on the cold sideof the panel by means of a plurality of thermojunctions 38 located inthe space between the outside sheet 33 and the heat absorbing plate 32.The thermojunctions 38' comprise a p-type element 41' and an n-typeelement 42' which are connected by a plate 43'. The thermojunctions 38'are laminated to and are in thermal contact with the film 52, but areelectrically insulated therefrom by a plurality of transparent layerswhich are similar to the insulating layers 40, Likewise thethermojunctions 38' are connected in series by a conductor 50'. Thethermojunctions 38 on the outer side of the panel 20 are so arranged asto generate a direct current when the plates 43' are heatedby anexterior source such as the source of natural light.

An energized heat pump is formed by electrically connecting theconductors 49 to both the thermojunctions 38' and the thermojunctions 38in the bottom of the frame 44 while completing a direct current circuitby connecting the heat generating thermojunctions 38 to the .heatpumping thermojunctions 38 by a plurality of conductors 57 located inthe top of the frame 44 adjacent the chamber 45 but insulated therefrom.More particularly, the conductors 49 and 57 connect the thermojunctions38 and 38' in series and carry the direct current generated by thethermojunctions 38'. The surfaces of the plates 43' are preferablyblackened to increase the heat absorbing characteristics thereof. Whenthese plates become heated a direct current is generated which passesthrough the conductors 49 and 57 to and from the thermojunctions 38.Thus, the heat absorbing plate 32, the film 52, and the thermojunctions38' form a current generator assembly.

In such a device, the temperature of the air space 34 may reach 200 F.while the interior of the glass sheet 35 is maintained at 75 F. Heattransfer from the hotter air space 34 to the air space 36 is reduced bythe heat absorbing glass plate 32, and heat absorbed thereby istransferred to the film 52, which operates as a generator sink. Thisheat is then dissipated by means of the fins 54 within the chamber 53.

An electric heater 58 which comprise-s a series of spaced electricallyconducting elements is carried by the outermost sheet 33 and isconnected to the alternating current power supply source of the buildingby means of leads 59 and 59' located in the frame 44. The heater 58 isused to supplement the source of natural light for heating the receiverplates 43' when the heat from the source of natural light isinsufficient to operate the generator assembly. An electroluminescentfilm as well as a photoconductive film can be used instead of the heater58 to serve the dual function of supplemental heating of the receiverplates 43 and of amplifying and filtering the natural light.

If desired, a supplemental source of direct current may by connected tothe conductors 49 and 57 by means of suitable leads 60 and 60, inparallel with the generator formed by the plate 32, film 52, andthermojunctions 38. A DC. voltage is then applied across the leads 60and 60' to supplement current flowing from the generator. Thisembodiment is particularly useful in installations wherein the excessiveuse of A.C. heater 58 might cause undesirable stresses in the sheet 33..

As shown in FIG. 1, the transparent panel 20 is secured to the buildingby means of suitable brackets 61 each of which comprises a lower supportsection 62 which carries the panel 20 along the bottom portion of theframe 44. Each bracket 61 includes a top support section 63 whichengages the top portion of the frame 44.

In order to illustrate the effectiveness of the thermoelectric panel ofthe present invention, the structure was compared with several types ofconventional light transparent panels. More particularly, a pair ofspaced plates of heat absorbing glass was found to transmit 95 B.t.u.sper square foot per hour under design conditions, while a pair of spacedglass sheets in which only the sheet towards the source of natural lightwas heat absorbing glass was likewise found to transmit 95 B.t.u.s persquare foot per hour under such conditions. In a third example, a plateof clear glass was found to transmit 183 B.t.u.s per square foot perhour, while, in a fourth example, a single sheet of heat absorbing glasswas found to transmit 126 B.t.u.s per square foot per hour. In contrast,the thermoelectric panel of the .present invention was found to transmitonly 20 to 30 B.t.u.s per square foot per hour, under such conditions.Consequently, a considerable reduction in the heat transfer through thelight transmitting panel was clearly shown.

Referring again to FIG. 1, light transmitted into the building throughthe panel 20 can be augmented by means of a plurality of spacedartificial light sources 21. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of thesesources comprises a fluorescent tube or the like which is supported bymeans of a socket 64 that is carried by an elongated mounting member 65that encloses the conventional electrical raceway and ballast of alighting unit. A removable plate 66 is carried along the bottom of themember 63 to provide access to the interior of the mounting member 65for servicing the various elements contained therein. As shown in FIG. 4a plurality of spaced cooling fins 67 are mounted in the plate 66, andthe fins 67 contact the source to aid in dissipating heat generated inthe source 21. The fins 67 not only cool the walls of the source 21 byconducting heat to a fluid heat transfer medium in a manner which willbe described later, but also cool the electrodes of the unit.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of an integratedradiant panel 68 which not only cools the space around the light source21 but also mounts the unit in spaced relationship with other units asshown in FIG. 1. The spacing between the sources 21 is determined by themodular dimensions of the panels 68 which is a function of the lightingintensity required within the plurality of adjacent spaces within thestructure which are separated by partitions (not shown).

The panel 68 includes a contoured portion 69 which has substantially thesame configuration as the elongated member 65 and is contiguoustherewith. The contoured portion 69 is provided with suitable recesses70 for receiving matching protrusions 71 on the member 65 therebyforming a selectively removable connection that enables easy removal ofthe member 65 from the panel 68. Inasmuch as the panel 68 is in physicalcontact with the contoured portion 69, heat which has been transferredby the fins 67 to the plate 66 is transferred to the panel 68 byconduction.

The panel 68 also includes a second portion 72 which is rigidly securedto or structurally integral with the first portion 69 and which isprovided with a plurality of apertures for noise level reduction. Asshown most clearly in FIG. 3, the apertured portion 72 spans the spacebetween the contoured portion 69 of a given panel 68 and the contouredportion 69 of an adjacent panel 68. Thus the width of the aperturedportion 72 may be changed to alter the modular dimension of the panel 68to vary the foot-candle light intensity within the adjacent partitionedspaces.

The end of the apertured portion 72 which is oppositely disposed fromthe contoured portion 69 is turned upwardly to form a tab 73 which has asuitable recess 74 formed therein for receiving a matching protrusion 75on the contoured portion 69. The extreme outermost end of the tab 73 isbent toward the contoured portion 69 to make certain that the aperturedportion 72 of one panel 68 will clear the edge of the contoured portion69 of an adjacent panel 68.

If desired, suitable acoustical insulation 76 may be supported on therelatively flat apertured portion 72 between the contoured portions 69of panels 68. Likewise relatively large openings may be formed in theapertured portion 72 for the installation of suitable supply or returnair diffusers on the flexible ducts 25 as shown in FIG. 1.

The apertured portion 72 likewise removes heat from the adjacent area inthe vicinity of the artificial light source 21 and this heat isconducted to the contoured portion 69. In order to remove the heat fromthe contoured portion 69, a plurality of fluid carrying pipes 77 areinstalled above the panels 68 prior to the installation of the panels68, and good heat transfer is insured by mounting the contoured portion69 in physical contact with the pipes 77 as shown in FIG. 3. The pipes77 are connected to the building heat transfer system and fluid iscirculated therethrough. Heat transfer is further aided by a heatconducting plate 78 that is mounted on a ballast portion 79 of thelighting unit.

The panel 68 i secured to the building by means of a pair of hangers 80which engage a carrying channel 81 that extends between adjacent beams23 of the building. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the hangers 80 issubstantially V-shaped having a pair of legs 82, each of which passes onopposite sides of the channel 81. A hook 83 is formed on the end of eachleg 82 and extends over the channel 81 to the opposite side to lock thehanger 80 in place. Any suitable connection 84 may be utilized betweenthe hanger 80 and the panel 68.

A further important feature of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is theprovision of a louvered panel grid 85 mounted below the light sources21. The grid 85 comprises a pluralityof thermal conductors 86 whichabsorb heat generated by the sources 21 and control the temperatures ofthe various areas within the structure. As shown in the variousembodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. through 14, the thermalconductors 86 are arranged in a grid-like formation having a relativelylarge space therebetween to provide a plurality of heat absorbingsurfaces.

The thermal conductors 86 are cooled by circulating a. fluid throughsuitable heat exchange chambers 87 such as water pipes that aresupported in the building and in :herrnal contact with the thermalconductors 86. Sup- ;rort for the chambers 87 is provided by hangers 88nade of a heat conducting material. The hangers 88 are suspended bycables 89 as shown in FIG. 1. By cir- :ulating either'hot or cold waterthrough the pipe 87, he space temperature and the heat transferrelationship vithin different partitioned spaces are selectivelyconrolled.

While the space between adjacent thermal conductors i6 may be open, theamount of heat absorbed by these hermal conductors is increasedconsiderably by the use of fins 90 shown in FIG. 5. These fins 90 notonly ncrease the surface exposed to the space below the ight source 21thereby increasing the amount of heat lhiCh may be absorbed, but theyalso aid in controlling be light distribution in various portions of thestructure. /Iore particularly the fins may be constructed of a mateialin which the index of refraction changes as the temerature changes.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 an apertured heat onducting bafiieplate 91 spans the space between adtcent thermal conductors 86 and is inthermal cont-act ierewith. The bafile plate 91 ha exceptionally goodiermal conduction and exhibits excellent acoustical proprties, as wellas acting as a light diffuser.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a light transmitng plate 92 ismounted between the thermal conductors 6, and an interference film 93which is in contact with re thermal conductors 86 is carried by theplate 92. he interference film 93 is used to control the color of lelight transmitted by the plate 92.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 through 12, the )oling effect of thethermal conductor 86 is increased y the addition of thermojunctions 94that are mounted a the thermal conductors 86 in thermal contact there-'ith but maintained out of electrical contact therewith an insulatinglayer 95. Each of the thermojunctions 4 comprises a p-typesemi-conductor element 96 and an n-type semi-conductor element 97 and aplate 98 which connects the elements 96 and 97 both thermally andelectrically. All of the thermojunctions 94 are electrically connectedby a conductor 99 to provide a series circuit, and a direct current ispassed through this circuit inthe proper direction to make the plates 98cold sources. The opposed hot sources are in thermal contact with thethermal conductors 86 through the electrical insulating layers 95.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 the heat transfer rate to the coldplate 98 is increased by heat conductive fins 100 which are in thermalcontact with the plates 98. The fins 100 may be similar in constructionto the fins 90 in that they may be of a material in which the index ofrefraction changes with a change in temperature.

A heat conductive baffle plate 101 has a plurality of apertures thereinand is in thermal contact with the plates 98 of oppositely disposedthermojunctions 94 on the thermal conductors 86. The bafile plate 101may be similar to the bafile plate 91.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, sheets 102 of transparent materialsuch as glass are positioned between the plates 98 'of oppositelydisposed thermojunctions 94 on the thermal conductors 86. The lightingcharacteristics of this luminous ceiling may be selectively varied bythe use of a polarizing film 103 on each of the sheets 102. The materialof the films 103 may be such that the degree of polarization or ofinterference is determined by the :temperature of this material. Thelighting characteristics of the luminous ceiling may be altered furtherby the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 wherein atransparent sheet 104 is mounted between the plates 98, and aninterference film 105 is carried by this sheet. The film 105 may besimilar to the film 93.

Still another feature of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12wherein a transparent sheet 106 carries an electro-luminescent film. 107for light amplification. More particularly, when an alternating currentis passed through the film 107 it becomes a supplemental source ofartificial light. An alternating current is supplied to the film 107 bymeans of a conductor 108 that is in electrical contact with the film 107but is maintained out of electrical contact with the thermojunction 94by means of a suitable insulator 109. In an alternate embodiment aphoto-conductive phosphor may be deposited on the upper surface of thesheet 106 and energized from a separate source of alternating current.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown an alternate cooling meansfor circulating a cooling fiuid for removing the absorbed heat from thethermal-conductors 86 and supplying both direct current to theconductors 99 and alternating current to the conductors 108. Moreparticularly, instead of using a Water pipe 87 that is separate from thegrid of thermal-conductors 86, a fluid conduit 110 is carried within acontainer 111 that is secured to the ends of the thermal-conductors 86.

The heat exchange fluid is circulated through the conduit 110, enteringthrough a supply conduit 112 that is connected to the supply pipe 27 ofthe first stage 26 of the building heat exchange system. A returnconduit 113 is likewise connected to the return pipe 28. Heat exchangebetween the thermal-conductors 86 and the heat exchange fluid is aidedby fins 114 that are connected to the ends of the thermal-conductors 86and extend into the fluid conduit 111.

As shown in FIG. 13 a pair of stacked alternating current bus bars 115are mounted along one side of the louvered panel grid 85 while a directcurrent bus bar 116 is mounted along the opposite side thereof.Alternating current is supplied to the uppermost bus bar 115 by asuitable supply lead 117 that is connected to an alternating currentpower source in the building structure. The alternating current circuitis completed back to the alternating current supply through a returnlead 9 118, and as shown in FIG. 13 the alternating current leads aremounted upon the container 111 by means of a suitable junction box 119.

Direct current is supplied to the uppermost direct current bus bar 116by means of a direct current supply lead 120 and the circuit iscompleted from the lower direct current bus bar 116 to the buildingdirect current supply through a return lead 121. Both of the directcurrent leads are mounted upon the container 111 by means of a junctionbox 122.

Each of the conductors 108 which carries alternating current areinsulated from the direct current bus bars by means of insulators 123while similar insulators 124 separate the conductors 99 which carrydirect current from the alternating current bus bars 115.

Two alternate devices for mounting the source 21 of artificial light areshown in FIGS. and 16. More particularly, the mounting device shown inFIG. 15 comprises a luminaire 125 which includes a socket 126 formounting the sources 21 of artificial light such as fluorescent tubes.The luminaire 125 also includes a reflector 127 mounted above thesources 21 which carries a standard ballast B mounted in the uppermostportion thereof. The light from the sources 21 is diffused by means of apanel 128 which may be mounted on the endmost portions of the reflector127 or spaced therefrom. The panel 128 is a light transmitting laminatedstructure. If desired, a grid shown in FIG. 16 and subsequentlydiscussed in detail, may be substituted for the panel 128.

Instead of utilizing a panel 68 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 for mountingthe luminaire 125, any suitable device may be used to support thisstructure inasmuch as the luminaire 125 carries its own cooling means inthe form of a heat pump which comprises a plurality of thermojunctions129 which are a part of the panel.

Each of the thermojunctions 129 comprises a p-type semi-conductorelement 130 connected to an n-type semiconductor element 131 by means ofa plate 132 which is both heat conducting and electrically conducting.The thermojunctions 129 are electrically connected by a plurality ofconductors 133 to form a plurality of series circuits. A direct currentis passed through each of the conductors 133 and the thermojunctions 129in such a fashion as to establish cold junctions on the side towards theplates 132 while simultaneously establishing hot junctions on the sidetoward the conductors 133.

In order to dissipate the heat from the hot junctions on thethermocouples 129, a thermal conductor 134 is carried by the panel 128in thermal contact with each of the thermojunctions 129 but ismaintained out of electrical contact therewith by means of an insulatinglayer 135. The thermal conductors 134 are deposited on a glass sheet 136which carries the entire assembly, including the insulating layer 135,the conductor 133, and the thermojunctions 129. The thermal conductors134 extend into suitable fluid conduits 137 mounted on the luminaire125. The conduits 137 have inlet passages 138 at one end and outletpassages (not shown) at the opposite end. Water is circulated throughthe conduits 137 by connecting the inlet passages 138 to the supply pipe27 while connecting the outlet passages to the return pipe 28. Heatexchange between the thermal conductor 134 and the water is aided byfins 139 mounted on the thermal conductors 134 and having surfaces incontact with the water.

Direct current is supplied to the thermojunctions 129 of the heat pumpthrough electrical conductors 140 and 141, both of which are extensionsof the conductor 133, and which connect a plurality of thermojunctions142 in a plurality of series circuits. Each thermojunction 142 comprisesa p-type semi-conductor element 143 connected to an n-typesemi-conductor element 144 by means of a plate 145. Each of the plates145 is electrically insulated from the reflector 127 by a vinyl polymersheet 146, or the like. Each of the plates 145 is mounted towards a heatsource such as the source 21 or a ballast member B and is heatedthereby. When the plates become heated, a direct current is generatedwhich passes through the electrical conductors 140 and 141 to thethermojunctions 129. In an alternate embodiment the conductors 140 and141 may also be connected to batteries (not shown) which are, in turn,connected to a D.C.-A.C. converter that supplies alternating current tothe source 21 for operation at high frequencies with increasedefiiciency. Heat is transferred from the thermojunctions 142 through anelectrically insulating, thermally conducting film 147 to a chamber 148through which water is flowed from an inlet 149 to an outlet (notshown). Fins 150 are provided to facilitate heat transfer in each of thechambers 148 while fins 151 aid in cooling the sources 21. Fins 151 areutilized not only to cool the walls of the source 21, but also to coolthe electrodes; thus maintaining optimum lamp etficiency.

The generator-heat pump circuit of the luminaire of FIG. 15 can beprovided with separate leads, in parallel with the generator portion ofthe circuit, so that a DO. voltage can be supplied thereto for thepurpose of supplementing that which is generated. The cooling effect ofthe heat pump portion of the circuit is then augmented. Similarily, theentire circuit can be broken at any desired point and independentlyenergized by a DC. voltage to cause a current to flow therethrough andto cause hot junctions and cold junctions as discussed above. In suchcircuit, the thermojunctions 142, as well as the thermojunctions 129,act as heat pumps. As a consequence, the level of the energy conductedto the fins 150 is raised, by comparison with the circuit actuallyshown, where the thermojunctions 142 act as generators.

Referring now to FIG. 16 there is shown a luminaire 152 having a socket153 for supporting the source 21 of artificial light. The luminaire 152also comprises a reflector 154 mounted above the source 21 and a grid155 mounted below the source 21.

Cooling means in the form of a heat pump is mounted upon the grid 155and this heat pump comprises a plurality of thermojunctions mountedbelow the light source 21 in a manner similar to embodiment shown inFIG. 8 to absorb heat generated by these sources. Each of thethermojunctions comprises a p-type semi-conductor element connected toan n-type semi-conductor element by means of a plate which is both heatconducting and electrically conducting. A direct current is passedthrough the thermojunctions in such a manner as to create cold junctionsas described in connection with FIG. 8.

In order to cool the grid 155, thermal conductors 156 extend outwardlytherebeyond into suitable chambers 157 adjacent the luminaire 152. Asuitable fluid heat transfer medium such as air enters various inletopenings indicated at 158 in the chamber 157. The heat transfer mediumpasses over fins 159 which are mounted in thermal con tact with thethermal conductors 156 to aid in the heat transfer from the grid 155. Byproper spacing of the openings 158, an even flow of air is maintainedthrough the chamber 157 to an outlet 160 formed in the uppermost regionof the luminaire 152 adjacent a ballast member (not shown).

A direct current is supplied to the thermojunctions on the grid 155through a conductor 161 which is located outwardly of the reflector 154and insulated therefrom. A direct current is supplied to the conductor161 by a generator assembly which comprises a plurality ofthermojunctions 162 connected in series by the conductor 161. Each ofthe thermojunctions 162 comprises a p-type semiconductor element 163connected to an n-type semi-conductor element 164 by means of a plate165 which is both electrically conducting and heat conducting. Eachplate 165 is insulated from the reflector 154 by a strip 166 ofelectrical insulation and the conductor 161 is electrically insulatedfrom the reflector 154 by a thermally conducting strip 167.

As shown in FIG. 16, the plates face the sources 21 and absorb heattherefrom to generate a direct current in the thermojunctions 162. Heatis transferred from the thermojunctions 162 to thermal conductors 168which are likewise mounted within a chamber 169. Heat transfer fromthese thermal conductors 168 to the air within the chamber 169 is aidedby means of fins 170 which are in thermal contact with the thermalconductors 168 and provide a large heat transfer surface in contact withthe air. Air is introduced into the chamber 169 through inlet openings171 and the air leaves through an outlet 172 immediately beneath theoutlet 160.

The thermal conductor 168 also extends into auxiliary chambers 173 whichhave fins 174 therein to aid in the dissipation of heat therefrom. Airenters the chamber 173 through inlet openings 175 and passes into thechamber 157 to maintain equal air flow over the fins 159, 170 and 174.

An important feature of the combination apparatus according to theinvention, as shown in FIG. 1, or with other embodiments of specificelements of the apparatus substituted for those specifically showntherein, is. the provision of a plurality of devices, each of which canbe controlled independently, for counteracting different types ofproblem heat associated with the lighting of a structure, and none ofwhich relies upon circulated refrigerated air. Specifically, andreferring to FIG. 1, a substantial portion of the heat load which wouldotherwise be imposed upon the conditioned portion of the structure bythe artificial light sources21 is collected by the panels 68 and removedfrom the building by the coolant, as has been described above in detail.A further significant portion of such heat load is collected by thelouvered panel grid 85, conducted to the conduits associated therewith,and removed from the space by the coolant flowing in such conduits. Inthis way, a substantial portion of the total heat load within theconditioned portion of the structure is dissipated without the use ofany conditioned, refrigerated air. The panel 20 also significantlydecreases the heat load which would otherwise be imposed by naturallight, as has been discussed in detail. 7

The instant invention also contemplates independent zone control of heattransfer from the louvered grid 85 and independent zone control of heattransfer from the panels 68. For example, the rate of flow of coolant totransfer heat from the grid 85, and, accordingly, the temperaturethereof, can be controlled as a function of dry bulb temperature orradiant energy level within a portion of the space inside the structure.For this purpose, a structure can be divided generally into severalzones, e.g., a perimeter zone with generally an Eastern exposure, aperimeter zone with generally a Southern exposure, a perimeter zone withgenerally a Western exposure, a perimeter zone with generally a Northernexposure, and an interior zone.

Whenever a thermostat or radiant energy sensing device within one ofthese zones indicates that more cooling is required than is provided bya relatively low rate of flow of conditioned, refrigerated air, coolantis circulated to provide additional cooling for the grid 85 above thatzone to increase the portion of the load dissipated by the grid 85.Similar controls are contemplated for the coolant of the panels 68, sothat these two elements of the apparatus cooperate to dissipate varyingproportions of the problem heat within the space being conditioned, andindependently of rate of fiow of conditioned, refrigerated air. As aconsequence, the rate of flow of conditioned, refrigerated air can bemaintained substantially constant, and at about the rate required foradequate ventilation, a result which can be achieved readily with a ductsystem of :omparatively small size carrying low pressure conditionedair. The panels 20 also cooperate with the other elements )f theapparatus in achieving this result by minimizing the :xtra load that isimposed upon an air conditioning system )y natural light from the sun.

The panels 20 are self-compensating because the magnitude of the currentwhich is generated by the thermoelements 38' and, as a result, thecooling effect of the thermoelernents 38 depends upon theirinstantaneous temperature, which is a function of the amount of incidentradiant energy. As a consequence, the greatest amount of radiant energyis dissipated at times of highest incidence, and the least amount ofenergy is dissipated at times of lowest incidence. The panels 20cooperate with the grid 85 and the integrated panels 68, therefore, tominimize variations in heat load which must be carried by conditioned,refrigerated air. Structures with high lighting intensities, at least upto 500 foot-candles, are practical in structures provided withcombination apparatus as described herein.

Many of the advantages of the systems according to the invention, asjust described, for example individual zone control and minimumrequirements for circulated, conditioned air, can be accomplished withthe ceiling system disclosed in FIGS. 17 to 22 which utilizes aplurality of spaced luminaires 176 suspended from deckpanels by hangerrods 177. Each luminaire 176 mounts one or more sources of artificiallight in the form of lamps 178 which may be either a high output or aslim type fiuorescent tube. The luminaire 176 includes a housing 179 ofa heat conductive material such as metal for enclos ing one or moreballasts 180 which supplies electrical power to the lamps 178.

Mounted immediately below the housing 179 is a louver 181 whichcomprises a plurality of heat conductors arranged in a grid-likeformation, as shown in FIGURES 19 and 21, to provide a maximum viewingarea for heat removal. The total surface area of the louver 181 that isexposed to both the lamps 178 and the space below the luminaire 176 isgreater than the surface area of a flat plate having the same projectedarea. By mounting the louver 181 in the opening in the bottom of thehousing 179, the geometry is such that the louver 181 sees more of thespace below the luminaire 176 than it does of the lamps 178. However,the heat removal requirements of the upper and lower surfaces of thelouver 181 are balanced because the space below the luminaire 176 is ata lower temperature than the lamps 178.

A plate 182 of a heat conductive material extends outwardly from theouter peripheral surface of the lower portion of the housing 179 that isadjacent the louver 181, and each plate 182 is positioned in the spacebetween adjacent luminaires 176 to cool both the space within thebuilding enclosure and the louver 181. As shown in FIG- URES 18 to 22,the plate 182 has offset marginal edge portions 183 which engageoutwardly turned flanges 184 on the lowermost portion of the housing179.

A plurality of spaced parallel tubes 185 are mounted in thermal contactwith the housing 179, as shown in FIG- URE 20, and the tubes 185 areconnected to one another by connecting tubes 186 located at the opposedends of the housing 179. Cooled water from a suitable source such as acooling tower is supplied to the tubes 185 and 186 by a vertical conduit187 to cool the housing 179 which, in turn, cools the lamps 178. Thecooled water is returned to the building heat transfer system by anothervertical conduit 188 shown in FIGURES 20 to 22. A removable plate 189 ofa heat conductive material is positioned within the housing 179 betweenthe ballasts 180 and the lamps 178, as shown in FIGURE 20, to radiantlycool these sources of heat, and the absorbed heat is conducted to thehousing 179.

A plurality of tubes 190 is mounted on the upper surface of the plate182, as shown in FIGURES 20 and 22, and the tubes 190 completelyencircle the housing 179 as shown in FIGURE 17. The tubes 19% areconnected to a supply of chilled water in the building heat transfersystem by a supply conduit 191, and the water flows from the conduit 191to the tubes 190 in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGURE 17. Ashort connector tube 192 extends from one of the tubes 190 and isconnected to a flexible 'tube 193 by a fitting 194. The flexible tube193 extends through the housing 179 and is connected to a louver supplyheader 195 which is located within the housing 179 and extendstransversely across one end thereof, as shown in FIGURE 17. The tubing193 is of a flexible material to enable the louver 181 to be rotateddownwardly for access to the lamps 178. The flexible tube 193 isconnected to the louver supply header 195 by a fitting 196 and isthermally insulated from the housing 179 by a suitable bushing 197.

Chilled water from the tubes 190 flows through the louver supply header195 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 17, and this waterthen flows through a plurality of spaced louver tubes 198 that are inthermal contact with the louver 181, in the direction shown by thearrows in FIGURE 17. The louver tubes 198 extend longitudinally alongthe upper surface of the louver 181 between the louver supply header 195and a louver return header 199.

The chilled water removes heat from the louver 181 and moves in thedirection of the arrow shown in FIG- URE 17 along the louver returnheader 199 to a fitting 200 that connects the return header 199 to aflexible tubing 201 extending through a bushing 202 in the housing 179.The opposite end of the flexible tubing 201 is connected to a returnconduit 203 by a fitting 204, and a horizontally extending leg of thereturn header conduit 204 is supported by a bracket 205 on the upwardlyfacing surface of the plate 182. Temperature staging wherein the samewater is utilized to cool both the louver 181 and the lamps 178 may beprovided by connecting the fitting 204 to the tubes 185. With such anarrangement, the chilled water first absorbs heat from the louver 181and then this same water, at a higher temperature, is circulated throughthe tubes 185.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a film 206 ofa transparent plastic material which functions as a shield to reflectthe infrared portion of the light emitted from the lamps 178 back to theinterior surface of the housing 179. Thus the portion of the heat in theinfrared range is removed in the most economical manner by the coolingtower water in the tubes 185 which is at a higher temperature than thechilled water in the louver tubes 192. The film 206 also reducesconvection currents within the housing 179, there by enabling the lamps178 to be operated at an optimum temperature controlled by the coolingmedium in the tubes 185.

It may be desirable to increase the temperature of the water in thetubes 190 and 198 of some of the luminaires 176 located in various zonesof the building at certain times of the day. An auxiliary electricheater 207 is mounted in thermal contact with the conduit 191, as shownin FIGURE 22, and a current is supplied from a source 208 of electricalpower to the lines 209 and 210 which are connected to the heater 207 inresponse to a signal from a thermostat 211. The thermostat 211 controlsthe heating of the space below the luminaires 176 without changing theflow of the water in the tubes 190 and 198.

It is usually preferable to employ constant speed pumps to circulate thewater in the tubes 190 and 198 from the supply header 195, so thatthrottling the flow of water to some of the tubes 190 is not desirable.However, the same result that is accomplished by reheating water, usingthe auxiliary heater 207, can also be accomplished by bypassing all or apart of the water directly from the supply conduit 191 to the returnconduit 203, in response to a signal from the thermostat 211. In thisway, the cooling effect of the system of FIGS. 17-22 can be reduced atcertain times of the day when the cooling load is low without thenecessity for varying the rate of flow of coolant in the conduits 191and 203, and also without introducing heat into the circulated coolantfrom the auxiliary heater 207.

The ceiling system disclosed in FIGURES 23 to 26, inclusive, utilizes aplurality of relatively thin lighting fixtures 212 which utilize aflat-type fluorescent tube 213. In order to control the surfacetemperature of the tubes 213 for operation at the most eflicient pointfor maximum light output, the fixture 145 includes a heat conductor 214having turned down end portions. The heat conductor 214 is in thermalcontact with the flat-type tube 213, as seen in FIG. 23.

The embodiment of FIGURES 23 to 26 does not utilize refrigerated water.Instead only cooling tower water from the second stage of the buildingheat transfer system is circulated through the headers 215 and 216, andthis water preferably has a temperature of between to F., although insome installations the temperature may be considerably higher. Thecooling tower water is circulated through pipes 217 and 218 to passages219 and 220 in the bottom portion of a supporting structure 221 whichmounts the downwardly curved ends of the heat conductor 214 as well asthe ends of adjacent bars 222 and outermost grid pieces 223 of thelouver 224. The bars 222 together with the grid pieces 223 are thermallyinsulated from the fluorescent tubes 213 by insulators 225 whilemarginal portions of the fluorescent tubes 213 are thermally insulatedfrom the adjacent structure by insulators 226, as seen in FIG. 25. Theends of the heat conductors 214 are in direct thermal contact with thebottom portion of the supporting structure 221, and heat is transmittedfrom the conductors 214 to the cooling medium in the passages 219 and220.

A plurality of thermojunctions 227 are supported on outwardly directedflanges 228 between the passages 219, 220 and the adjacent bars 222. Agroup of thermojunctions 227 is shown in FIGURE 26, and eachthermojunction comprises p-type semiconductor elements connected ton-type semiconductor elements by electrically conducting plates 227a and227b. The p-type elements as well as n-type elements can be of Bi Te orof PbTe. While these elements have a figure of merit Z of 2 or 3, it iscontemplated that elements having values for Z of 5 and even 7 may beused. However, the instant invention is not specifically concerned withthe identity of the pand n-type elements.

A current is passed through the pand n-type elements and the plates 227aand 227b from source 229 of direct current through lines 230 and 231 toform cold junctions toward the plates 227a while hot junctions areformed in the side toward the plates 227b, when it is desired toincrease the temperature of the zone located below any fixture 212. Inthis instance, heat is transferred from the cooling tower water in thepassages 219 and 220 to the louver 224 formed by the bars 222 and .gridpieces 223, even though this water cools the conductor 214 and thefluorescent tube 213.

When it is desired to cool the zone below any certain fixture 212 to adegree greater than that normally obtained from the cooling tower waterin the passages 219 and 220, a current is passed in the oppositedirection from another source 232 of direct current through lines 233and 234 by actuating a suitable switch 235 which forms cold junctionstoward the plates 227k and hot junctions toward the plates 227a. Heat istransmitted from the bars 222 to the water in the passages 219 and 220.The thermojunctions 227 are electrically insulated from both the louver224 formed by the bars 222 together with the grid pieces 223 and thebottom portion of the support structure 221 by insulators 236, as seenin FIG. 25. Likewise the thermojunctions 227 are electrically andthermally insulated from the flanges 228 by insulators 237. The transferof heat from the plates 227a to the water in the passages 219 and 220 isaided by suitable fins 230 extending into the passages 219 and 220.

The supporting structure 221 is suspended by hanger rods 239 anchored ina cellular floor 240. Ducts 241 connect air passages within the cellularfloor 240 to the support structure 221 which channels air flow to thespace below through a vent grid 242.

The louver in the embodiments of FIGS. 17-26 serves not only to diffusethe light and remove heat from the fluorescent lamps but also to removeheat from the space below the fixture. The quantity of heat per hourwhich one square foot of the louver, such as that shown in FIGS. 17-22,can remove is dependent upon the difference in average temperaturebetween the louver 181 and the water in the louver tubes 198, as well asthe headers 195 and 199. Table I below lists the cooling capacity of atypical louver in B.t.u.s per hour per square foot at various watertemperature differentials.

Table I Louver cooling capacity,

B.t.u./hr./sq. ft.:

Average temperature differential, F.

To illustrate the economy of utilizing cooling tower water to removeheat from the luminaire housing and chilled water to remove heat fromthe louver, Table 11 below lists the power input to the buildingrefrigeration equipment measured in watts per hour per square foot ofspace cooled together with the space heating load in B.t.u.s per hourper square foot of louver that is removed by the louver at variouslevels of illumination measured in foot-candles. The values set forth inTable II are based on the luminaires being mounted in a room having anine-foot ceiling, four changes of air per minute with a uniformtemperature of 63 F. Each luminaire mounts either one or two fluorescenttubes which are either the slim or the high output type. The power inputis listed for the various luminaires when (a) neither the housing northe luminaire is cooled, (b) both the housing and the louver are cooledby chilled water from the refrigeration equipment, and (c) when thehousing is cooled by water from the cooling tower and the louver iscooled by chilled water from the refrigeration equipment.

Table II Refrigeration Input Level Space Tubes per Tube of Load Fixt.Type Ilium. Removed Not Chilled Cooled Cooled Only and Chilled 50 11.2 1. 35 1. 15 0. 75 100 15. 35 2. 40 2. O5 1. 15 150 19. 20 3. 35 2.85 1. 5O 50 8. 80 1. 35 1. 10 0. 65 100 9. 80 2. 15 1. 8O 0. 90 150 10.8O 2. 95 2. 45 1. 10 50 9. 40 1. 30 l. 10 0. 70 100 11. 2. 00 1. l 0. 95150 12. 70 2. 80 2. 40 1. 50 7. 3O 1. 25 1. l5 0. 60 100 6. 70 1. 95 1.70 0. 75 150 6. 30 2. 70 2. 30 O. 90

Table III illustrates the effect of the air conditioning and lightingsystems on the total cost of building construction as the lighting levelis increased from the conventional 75 footcandles to 150 footcandlesusing either conventional luminaires or the integrated water cooledluminaries of the present invention. Buildings ranging in totalconstruction costs of $18, $20 and $25 per square foot of floor area at75 footcandles are used as a basis of the comparison, and luminairesusing two tubes are used in all the comparisons. The lighting and airconditioning costs are listed as percents of the total building costs.

1 6 Table III Air conditioning oper on, p n (2) Integrated Water CooledLuminaircs:

Lighting cost, percent TBC Air conditioning cost, percent TBC Cost;increases, percent TBC-Lighting Cost Savings, percent TBC- Airconditioning ArchitecturaL Total increase Air conditioning operation,percent woven It will be apparent that various changes and modificationscan be made from the specific details set forth in the drawings anddiscussed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus comprising a fixture for mounting a source of artificiallight, a reflector positioned generally adjacent said fixture, a coolingpanel, conduit means integral with said reflector, a plurality ofthermojunctions having cold junctions in thermal contact with saidcooling panel and hot junctions in thermal contact with said conduit,each of said thermojunctions comprising a p-type semi-conductor elementconnected to an n-type semi-conductor element by means of a plate whichis both heat conducting and electrically conducting, saidthermojunctions being electrically conducting to provide one seriescircuit, and means for connecting said thermojunctions to a source ofenergizing current, whereby, when an energized light is in said fixture,a heat transfer fluid is circulated through said conduit, and saidthermojunctions are energized, heat from the light is transferred to theheat transfer fluid, and said cooling panel is effective to absorb heatat a temperature lower than the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.

2. An apparaus comprising a fixture for mounting a source of artificiallight, a reflector positioned generally adjacent said fixture, a coolingpanel, cooling means in thermal contact with said cooling panel, andnormally operable to transfer heat from said cooling panel to enablesaid cooling panel to absorb heat from an air-conditioned space, meansin thermal contact with said reflector and effective to transfer heattherefrom to a high temperature heat transfer fluid, and control meansoperatively associated with said cooling means and effective to controlthe transfer of heat thereto from said cooling panel in response totemperature changes in the air conditioned space. V

3. An apparatus comprising a fixture for mounting a source of artificiallight, a reflector positioned generally adjacent said fixture, a coolingpanel, a thermally activated thermoelectric heat pump, said heat pumpcomprising thermoelectric cooling means in thermal contact with saidcooling panel, and activating means including a thermoelectricgenerator, said activating means having a heat receiverin thermalcontact with said reflector and heat transfer means for rejecting heatfrom said activating means by transfer to at least one heat sink, andbeing effective, when said heat receiver is maintained at a temperaturehigher than the temperature of said heat transfer means, to supplyenergizing current to said thermoelectric cooling means, said heat pumpbeing effective, when such current is supplied by said generator to saidcooling means, to transfer heat from said coolg p n l to at least oneheat sink.

4. A window structure comprising a plurality of spaced, opposed,light-transmitting panels, at least one interceptor for radiant energytransmitted through said panels, a cooling panel, a thermally activatedthermoelectric heat pump, said heat pump comprising thermoelectriccooling means in thermal contact with said cool ing panel, andactivating means including a thermoelectn'c generator, said activatingmeans having a heat receiver in thermal contact wtih said interceptorand heat transfer means for rejecting heat from said activating means bytransfer to at least one heat sink, and being effective, when said heatreceiver is maintained at a temperature higher than the temperature ofsaid heat transfer means, to supply energizing current to saidthermoelectric cooling means, said heat pump being effective, when suchcurrent is supplied by said generator to said cooling means, to transferheat from said cooling panel to at least one heat sink.

5. An apparatus comprising a support for mounting a source forartificial light which is also a source for heat, light transmitting andcontrolling means positioned below said source in said support means andthrough which light from said source in said support means passes, saidtransmitting and controlling means having at least one heat absorbingsurface, a first cooling system for said light transmitting andcontrolling means adapted to absorb heat from said light transmittingand controlling means at a generally predetermined low temperaturelevel, said cooling means including a plurality of thermojunctions inthermal contact with the heat absorbing surface, each of saidthermojunctions comprising a p-type semi-conductor element connected toan n-type semiconductor element by means of a plate which is both heatconducting and electrically conducting, said thermojunctions beingelectrically connected to provide at least one series circuit, and asource of energizing current connected to said thermojunctions, a lightreflecting structure for a light source in said support means having atleast a portion positioned over said source in said support means, and asecond cooling system adapted to absorb heat from said light reflectingstructure at a temperature above said generally predetermined lowtemperature level.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, including transparent plates havingtransparent interference films thereon positioned between the plates ofoppositely disposed thermojunctions on said thermal conductors.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, including polarizing filterspositioned between the plates of oppositely disposed thermojunctions onsaid thermal conductors.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, including heat conductive fins inthermal contact with the plates of said thermojunctions on said thermalconductors.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, including electroluminescentphosphor members positioned between the plates of oppositely disposedthermojunctions on said thermal conductors.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, including heat conductive baflleplates having a plurality of apertures therein, said baffle plates beingin thermal contact with the plates of oppositely disposedthermojunctions on said thermal conductors.

11. An apparatus comprising a fixture for mounting a source ofartificial light, a reflector panel positioned on one side of saidfixture, a light-transmitting panel positioned on the opposite side ofsaid fixture, cooling means carried by said luminaire, a conduit mountedon said reflector, a plurality of fins mounted on said conduit inthermal contact with said cooling means, a plurality of thermojunctionsmounted on said luminaire in thermal contact with said fins, each ofsaid thermojunctions comprising a p-type semi-conductor elementconnected to an n-type semi-conductor element by means of a plate whichis both heat conducting and electrically conducting, saidthermojunctions being electrically conducting to provide 18 one seriescircuit, a source of energizing current connected to saidthermojunctions, and means for circulating fluid through said conduit incontact with said fins.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a plurality of saidthermojunctions are mounted on said reflectorwith said plates facingtoward said fixture, and a plurality of other of said thermojunctionsare in heat transfor relationship with said light-transmitting panel,with said plates facing away from said fixture.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a plurality of saidthermojunctions are mounted on said light-transmitting panel with saidplates facing away from said fixture.

=14. A light transmitting panel comprising: a first layer of glass whichreceives light from a light source, a center layer of heat absorbingglass, a third layer from which the light emerges, said center layerdividing said panel into a high temperature region between itself andsaid first layer of glass, and dividing said panels into a lowertemperature region bet-ween itself and said third layer of glass, firstcooling means for absorbing energy from said high temperature region atone temperature level, and second cooling means for absorbing energyfrom said low temperature region at a lower temperature level, saidsecond cooling means including thermojunctions disposed in said lowtemperature region of said panel between said layers of glass.

15. The light transmitting panel of claim 14, wherein thermojunctionsare provided in said high temperature region of said panel and which areconnected in electrical series circuit with the thermojunctions in saidlow temperature region to supply at least some of the electrical energyrequired for cooling said thermojunctions in said low temperatureregion.

16. An apparatus comprising a fixture for mounting a source ofartificial light, a reflector positioned generally adjacent saidfixture, a panel for heat transfer with an associated air-conditionedspace, a thermoelectric heat pump, said heat pump comprising first heattransfer means in thermal contact with said panel, second heat transfermeans for transferring heat to or from said heat pump, and means forsupplying, when in a first position, energizing current to said heatpump in a first direction and, when in a second position, energizingcurrent to said heat pump in the opposite direction, said heat pumpbeing effective, when such current is supplied in said first position,to cool said first heat transfer means to a temperature lower than thetemperature of said second heat transfer means and being effective, whensuch current is supplied in said second posit-ion, to heat said firstheat transfer means to a temperature higher than the temperature of saidsecond heat transfer means, and means for transferring heat between saidsecond heat transfer means and at least one heat sink.

17. A window structure comprising at least one lighttransmitting panel,at least one interceptor for radiant energy transmitted through saidpanel, a cooling panel, a thermoelectric heat pump, said heat pumpcomprising cooling means in thermal contact with said cooling panel,heat transfer means in thermal contact with said interceptor forrejecting heat from said heat pump, and circuit means for supplyingenergizing current to said heat pump, said heat pump being effectivewhen such current is supplied, to cool said cooling means to atemperature lower than the temperature of said heat transfer means, andmeans for transferring heat from said heat transfer means to at leastone heat sink.

18. A window structure as claimed in claim 17 wherein said interceptoris integral with said light-transmitting panel.

19. An apparatus comprising, in combination, a fixture for, mounting asource of artificial light, a cooling panel, a thermoelectric heat pumpincluding cooling means in thermal contact with said cooling panel andheat transfer means for receiving heat from said cooling means, meansradiant energy which is transmitted through said light transmittingpanel, a cooling panel, a thermoelectric heat pump, said heat pumpcomprising cold junctions in thermal contact with said cooling panel andhot junctions in thermal contact with said interceptor panel, heattransfer means for removing heat from said hot junctions, said heat pumpbeing effective to cool said cooling panel to a temperature lower thanthe temperature of said heat transfer means, and means for transferringheat from said heat transfer means to at least one heat sink.

21. The window structure as defined in claim 20 wherein said interceptorpanel is integral with said light transmitting panel.

22. A system for conditioning air in an enclosed space comprising, incombination, a luminai-re for mounting a source of artificial light, awindow structure comprising a plurality of spaced, opposed, lighttransmitting panels including a substantially transparent panel facingsaid enclosed space and a heat absorbing panel exterior of saidtransparent panel, a thermoelectric heat pump, said heat pump comprisingcooling means in thermal contact with said transparent panel, a heattransfer means in thermal contact with said heat absorbing panel forremoving heat from said heat pump, and circuit means including hotjunctions of a second thermoelectric circuit for collecting heat energyfrom said light source and supplying an energizing current to said heatpump, said heat pump being effective, when such current is supplied, tocool said cooling means to a temperature lower than the temperature ofsaid heat transfer means, and means for transferring heat from said heata bsorbing panel to at least one heat sink.

23. The system defined in claim 22 which includes a substantiallytransparent, light transmitting panel exterior of said heat absorbingpanel.

24. An apparatus comprising in combination, a fixture for mounting asource of artificial light, a cooling means, a refrigerating unit havingan energy input section, a cooling section and a heat rejection section,said cooling section being operatively connected with said cooling meansto transfer heat from said cooling means to said cooling section, meansfor collecting heat energy given off by said lighting means and forutilizing such collected heat energy to perform work in said energyinput section of said refrigerating unit, said refrigerating unit beingeffective, as a consequence of work performed in said input section, totransfer heat from said cooling section to said heat rejection section,and means for transferring heat from said heat rejection section to atleast one heat sink.

25. In a system for an enclosed space, lighting means, a fixture forsaid lighting means, cooling means, a refrigerating unit having anenergy input section, a cooling section comprising cold junctions of athermoelectric circuit and a heat rejection section comprising hotjunctions of said thermoelectric circuit, said cooling section being'operatively connected with said cooling means to transfer heat fromsaid cooling means to said cooling section,

means comprising hot junctions of a second thermoelectric circuit forcollecting heat energy given off by said lighting means and forutiilzing such collected heat energy to perform work in said energyinput section of said refrigerating unit, said refrigerating unit beingeffective,

as a consequence of work performed in said input section, to transferheat from said cooling section to said heat rejection section, and meansfor transferring heat from said heat rejection section to at least oneheat sink.

26. An apparatus comprising, in combination, a fixture for mounting asource of artificial light, a cooling panel, a refrigerating unit havingan energy input section, a cooling section comprising cold junctions ofa thermoelectric circuit and a heat rejection section comprising fhotjunctions of said thermoelectric circuit, said cooling section beingoperatively connected with said cooling means to transfer heat from saidcooling means to said cooling section, means comprising hot junctions toa second thermoelectric circuit for collecting heat energy given off bya light in said fixture and for utilizing such collected heat energy toperform work in said ener- 'gy input section of said refrigerating unit,means for transferring heat energy from the cold junctions of saidsecond thermoelectric circuit to at least one heat sink,

said refrigerating unit being effective, as a consequence of workperformed in said energy input section, to transfer heat from saidcooling section to said heat rejection section, and means fortransferring heat from said heat rejection section to at least one heatsink, whereby said luminaire, when mounted to supply light to anenclosed space, is simultaneously effective to minimize the thermal loadimposed on the space by a light source.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,501,418 3/1950Snowden 2056.5 X 2,710,336 6/1955 Jorn 240 9 2,887,564 5/ 1959 Baran.

2,887,565 5/1959 Baran.

3,020,325 2/1962 Winckler 1364 3,070,643 12/1962 Toulmin 1364 3,188,4586/1965 Hickman 240-9 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. RHODES, Assistant Examiner.

2. AN APPARATUS COMPRISING A FIXTURE FOR MOUNTING A SOURCE OF ARTIFICIALLIGHT, A REFLECTOR POSITIONED GENERALLY ADJACENT SAID FIXTURE, A COOLINGPANEL, COOLING MEANS IN THERMAL CONTACT WITH SAID COOLING PANEL, ANDNORMALLY OPERABLE TO TRANSFER HEAT FROM SAID COOLING PANEL TO ENABLESAID COOLING PANEL TO ABSORB HEAT FROM AN AIR-CONDITIONED SPACE, MEANSIN THERMAL CONTACT WITH SAID REFLECTOR AND EFFECTIVE TO TRANSFER HEATTHEREFROM TO A HIGH TEMPERATURE HEAT TRANSFER FLUID, AND CONTROL MEANSOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID COOLING MEANS AND EFFECTIVE TO CONTROLTHE TRANSFER OF HEAT THERETO FROM SAID COOLING PANEL IN RESPONSE TOTEMPERATURE CHANGES IN THE AIR CONDITIONED SPACE.